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JPHE 

SHEPHERD 


^T®.^sr; 


-»@<^ 


BY  3IRS.  |SHER\VOOD, 

\rTHOR  OF  "LITTLE  HEPTRY  AND  HIS  BEARER 
"  THE  LADY  OF  THE  MANOR,"  &Lr. 


Ricommendedhy  the  American  Sunday  School  Unici'. 


rUBHSHED  FOR  OLIVER  D.  COOKE  &  CO.— HARTFOF.: 

1827. 


0^ur^f*v^ 


Vindprpool  4.  Cole,  l*rintef», 


SHEPHERD 
OF  THE  PYRENEES. 

BY  MRS.  SHERWOOD. 


A  LITTLE  more  than  a  hundreJ  years  ago, 
there  dwelt  in  Languedoc,  which  is  one  of  the 
southern  provinces  of  France,  and  bordering  on 
the  ^y»-enean  mountains,  a  certain  great  Baron 
and  his  Lady,  who  had  two  children,  Theophilus 
and  Sophia. 

These  children,  who  were  exceedingly  beauti- 
ful, were  twins.  Theophilus  was  the  eldest,  and 
Sophia  the  youngest.  It  was  one  of  the  prettiest 
sights  in  the  world,  to  see  these  little  infants 
asleep,  and  lying  together  in  onr-  cradle. 

Theophilus  was  larger  and  browner  than  Sophia; 
but  his  bold  and  noble  features,  his  lofty  brow, 
and  dark  curling  hair,  even  in  boyhood,  gave  the 
promise  of  what  he  would  be  if  ever  he  should 
arrive  af  man's  estate.  While  the  ruby  lips,  the 
dimpled  cheeks,  the  delicate  complexion,  and  au- 


i  THK     SHEPHERD 

burn  hair,  of  his  little  sister,  were,  in  their  kind 
equally  admirable.  So  that  ^-trangers  were  often 
brought  by  their  proud  parents,  and  by  the  de- 
pendents (if  the  family,  to  contemplate  the  beauties 
of  these  little  fair  ones. 

As  they  advanced  in  age,  their  beauty  increased, 
and  they  seemed  to  possess  every  thing  amiable 
or  desirable  which  has  been  left  in  the  ruin  of 
fallen  man. 

Theopliilus  had  strong  feelings,  great  natural 
courage,  quickness  of  comprehension,  an  excellent 
memory,  much  gayety  and  wit,  and  a  graceful 
and  dignified  mien.  He  possessed  witt>  these 
qualities  a  great  deal  of  pride,  which  raised  him 
above  what  he  considered  to  be  a  mean  action, 
and  made  him  leel  with  keenness  what  he  con- 
ceived to  be  an  affront. 

Sophia  partook  much  of  her  brother's  disposi- 
tion :  but  whcrctts  pride  and  independence  were 
fostered  in  him,  she  was  taught  that  delicac)  and 
submission  were  desirable  qualities  in  a  woman. 
She  was  kept  in  much  retirement,  and  taught  to 
conceal  her  feelings,  and  to  consider  her  brother 
as  the  person  on  whom  she  must  depend  in  case 
of  her  father's  death. 

Theophilus  and  Sophia,  as  they  grew  up,  were 
much  admired  by  the.'World,  and  looked  up  to  by 
all  aroun  1  them;  nevertheless,  they  bad  not  one 
Christian  grace. 


<jF    the    PVPkENEES.  6 

We  are  taught,  that  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit 
are  love,  joy,  peace,  long-suffering;,  temperance, 
meekness  ;  and  that  he  whose  nature  is  renewed 
by  the  Spirit  of  God  desires  beyond  all  things  to 
love  the  Lord  his  God  with  all  his  heart,  with  all 
his  soul,  and  with  all  his  strength,  and  his  neigh- 
bour as  himself.  But  Theophilus  and  Sophia  had 
never  been  taught  to  lift  up  their  hearts  to  God 
in  prayer,  or  to  feel  their  own  weakness  and  de- 
pravity. They  had  heard  the  name  of  Christ,  it 
is  true,  but  they  felt  not  the  need  of  a  Saviour, 
and  therefore  had  never  been  led  to  seek  him. 
They  were  not  conscious  of  the  uncleanness  of 
their  own  hearts,  and  therefore  felt  no  need  of  the 
sanctifying  influence  of  the  Spirit.  One  sweet 
natural  feeling,  however,  they  possessed  to  a 
strong  degree  ;  this  was  affection  for  each  other. 

As  they  had  loved  each  other  in  their  cradle,  so 
their  affection  grew  with  their  growth. 

Theophilus  was  generally  kept  by  his  tutors 
and  masters  in  a  part  of  his  father's  very  exten- 
sive mansion,  remote  from  the  apartment  ©coupled 
by  his  sister  and  her  governess;  his  joy  therefore 
was  the  greater  when  he  was  set  free  from  his 
tasks,  and  permitted  to  play  with  her :  and  those 
were  their  happiest  hours  when  they  we^  allow- 
ed to  play  in  their  father's  park,  followed  only  by 
one  servant  at  a  distance. 

The  park  was  very  extensive,  including  a  pari 


6  THE    SUEl'HKUD 

of  the  irregular  ground,  valleys,  and  little  hills, 
hanging  coppices,  and  deep  dingles,  which  spread 
themselves  at  the  foot  of  one  of  the  rvrenee?. 
Here  and  there  were  spacious  lawns  crowned  with 
groves  of  oak  and  ash,  beyond  which  appeared, 
though  far  distant,  the  blue  tops  of  the  mountain?. 

It  was  a  great  delight  to  Theophilus  and  Sophia 
to  climb  these  heights,  and  explore  these  valleys, 
and  to  pursue,  with  unequal  steps,  tlie  harts  and 
hinds  on  the  extensive  lawns. 

It  happened  one  day,  when  they  were  about 
fourteen  years  of  age,  going  further  than  usual  ou 
a  fine  summer's  morning,  that  they  came  to  a 
breezy  upland,  fragrant  with  thyme  ;  on  which 
they  saw  an  old  shepherd  silting  on  the  ground, 
attentively  reading,  while  his  sheep  quietly  fed 
around  him.  No  sound  was  heard  in  this  deep 
solitude,  to  disturb  the  contemplation  of  the  shep- 
herd, but  the  tinkling  of  the  wethers  bell,  the 
bleating  of  the  flock,  and  the  rustling  of  a  watoi- 
fall  in  the  valley  below. 

"  Let  us  go  and  talk  to  tlmt  old  shepherd,"  sun. 
Theophilus,  "  and  ask  him  what  book  he  may  be 

aJiiig  ?o  attentively. " 

^o  the  children  walked  up  to  the  shepherd  ;  but 
jio  sooner  did  he  sec  tl^Jm  approach,  than  he  arose, 
and,  bowing  humbly,  placed  his  book  carefully 
in  his  bo5ora. 

Theophilus  and  Sophia,  being  struck  by  the 


OF    THE    PYRENEES.  Y 

(lignilied  composure  of  this  old  man's  deportment, 
forgot  the  meanness  of  his  station,  and  accosted 
him  with  less  haughtiness  than  they  generally- 
used  towards  persons  of  inferior  rank  to  them- 
selves;  and  having  persuaded  the  old  man  to  sit 
down  on  the  grass,  they  placed  themselves  oppo- 
site to  him,  and  began  to  enter  into  conversation 
with  him. 

And  first,  they  put  many  questions  to  the  shep- 
herd, concerning  his  past  and  present  life :  to 
which  he  replied,  by  giving  a  short  and  simple 
history  of  himself. 

"  My  little  friends,"  he  said,  ''  I  know  not  whe- 
ther you  may  have  been  informed,  that  there 
formerly  existed,  in  certain  valleys  of  the  moun- 
tains at  whose  foot  we  now  repose,  a  set  of  poor 
men,  called  by  some.  The  Faudois,  and  by  others. 
The  poor  Men  of  Lyons.  These  men  were  re- 
markable for  nothing  but  their  poverty,  and  their 
desire  to  serve  God  in  simplicity,  taking  his  holy 
book  for  the  guide  and  rule  of  their  lives,  and  his 
promises  for  their  portion.  ^j 

"  Among  these  people  I  was  born,  and  dwelt 
with  them  till  I  was  more  than  forty  years  of  age, 
being  blessed  with  a  pious  wife  and  two  sweet 
infants,  and  enjoying  the  society  of  a  venerable 
mother.  But  at  that  period  our  little  community 
fell  under  the  displeasure  of  the  king.  We  were 
driven  from  our  habitations  in  the  valleys,  and 
endured  incredible  hardships.    My  aged  parent. 


S  THE    SHEPHERD 

my  wife,  and  little  children,  were  not  able  to  en- 
dure these  afflictions  :  their  bodies  sunk  under 
thera.  One  by  one,  I  was  deprived  of  all. — They 
entered  into  glory,  and  I  alone  remained,  a  soli- 
tary being — yet  not  solitary,"  added  the  shepherd, 
looking  upward  with  an  expression  of  countenance 
which  struck  Theophilus  and  Sophia  as  being 
almost  more  than  human.  "  I  am  not  alone;  I  have 
great  comfort ;  I  am  very  happy." 

"  Happy  I"  repeated  Theophilus,  "  how  caa 
you  be  happy?  You  have  no  pleasures  that  I 
can  imagine.  You  have  lost  your  mother  I  your 
wife !  your  children  !  You  are  poor  :  exposed 
sometimes  to  cold,  sometimes  to  heat;  and,  per- 
haps, have  nothing  but  a  poor  cottage  to  lay  your 
head  in  at  night.  Your  food,  no  doubt,  is  also 
very  plain,  and  your  clothes  are  of  the  coarsest 
kind.     How  then  can  you  be  happy  r" 

The  shepherd  sighed,  and  looked  with  an  eye 
i)f  pity  on  Theophilus  and  his  sister.  "  I  have 
enough  of  all  this  world's  goods,"  he  answered, 
**  to  satisfy  the  real  necessities  of  this  poor  bo('y. 
I  am  in  the  service  of  your  father,  and  my  wages 
are  sulFicieut  to  supply  me  with  such  things  as  I 
really  want.  In  this  respect  I  am  better  oft"  than 
many  of  the  prophets  and  apostles  in  former  times  : 
for  they  were  desliluie,  afflicted,  and  tormented; 
they  wandered  about  tn  shtep-skins,  aixd  goat- 
skins :  {of  %chom  the  world  was  not  xcorthy :)  they 
■andered  in  deserts^  and  in  mountains,  and  in 


OF    THE    PYRENEES.  V 

dens  and  caves  of  the  earth.  (Heb.  xi.  37,  38.) 
And  even  in  this  present  time,  how  many  of  my 
brethren,  servants  of  Christ,  being;  driven  from 
their  native  valleys,  are  wanderers  upon  the  earth, 
wanting  the  common  necessaries  of  life,  which  I 
enjoy  in  security  1"" 

'•  But,''  said  Theophilus,  *'  I  cannot  understand 
what  all  this  can  have  to  do  with  you.  If  you 
are  miserable,  knowing  that  others  are  more  so  ^ 
surely  cannot  mend  the  matter !  At  any  rate,  i* 
such  a  thought  cannot  make  you  actually  happy  ; 
and  you  say  that  you  are  happy  ;  nay,  you  look 
happy.  And  yet,  as  we  before  remarked,  your 
situation  is  such  as  would  make  most  men  truly 
miserable." 

The  shepherd  was  silent  for  a  moment,  and 
seemed,  by  his  manner,  to  be  in  prayer.  At 
length,  looking  benignly  round  him,  "  You,'*  he 
said,  "  cannot  understand  how  I,  a  poor  and  for- 
lorn old  man,  can  be  happy  under  circumstances 
"which  to  you  appear  to  be  utterly  without  com- 
fort. You  feel  pity  for  me;  you  think  that  I 
must  be  miserable.  While  my  prayers  for  you 
"Would  be  to  this  intent :  that  you  might  be  soon 
brought  to  feel  as  I  Jo,  and  led  to  discover  the 
instability  of  earthly  enjoyments  and  possessions  ; 
that  thereby  you  might  be  early  induced  to  seek 
those  pleasures  whicli,  flowing  from  a  heavenly 
fouatain,  can  never  be  exhausted." 


ID  THE    SHEPHERD 

"  What  l"  said  Theophilu?,  proudly,  "  must  I 
not  take  pleasure  in  any  thing  which  I  possess? 
Wherein  then  am  I  better  than  yourself?'' 

The  shepherd  bowed  :  "  Pardon  me,"  he  said ; 
*'  you  led  me,  by  your  questions,  to  speak  of  my- 
self, and  to  utter  my  sentiments  unwarily  :  I  will 
say  no  more." 

"  Nay,"  said  Theophilus,  "  I  have  a  pleasure 
in  hearing  you  talk  ;  I  have  never  met  with  any 
one  like  you.  Speak  what  is  in  your  mind:  I 
shall  not  be  offended,  although  I  do  not  promise 
to  believe  all  you  say.  You  said,  that  you  wished 
us  to  be  like  yourself;  to  feel  as  you  do  :  and,  I 
suppose,  to  be  happy  in  the  same  way.  Now  tell 
us  in  what  way  you  are  happy,  and  why  you  wish 
us  to  be  like  yourself." 

"  My  happiness,"  suid  the  shepherd,  "  is  fixed 
on  that  foundation  which  can  never  fail.  .-?//  that 
•is  in  the  uorld,  the  lust  of  the  Jltsh^  (he  lust  of  the 
eyes^  and  iht  pride  of  iife^  is  not  of  the  Father,  but 
is  of  the  world.  And  thf-  world  passeth  otfay,  and 
the  lust  thereof:  but  he  that  doelh  the  icill  of  God 
abide th  for  ei^er.  (1  John  ii.  16,  17.)  He  that 
spendeth  the  longest  and  happiest  life  on  eartli 
must  die, — must  descend  into  the  grave,  and  be 
no  more  seen.  At  that  hour,  he  must  part  with 
all  earthly  possessions:  all  Wvl  be  taken  from 
him;  n«)thing  can  give  him  comfort ;  none  of  those 
things  can  mitigate   the  dread    of   eternity.     1 


OF    THE    PYRENEES.  11 

therefore  consider  that  man  as  being  the  most 
happy  who,  whatever  his  earthly  situation  may 
be,  hath  laid  the  most  sure  hold  upon  what  will 
remain  with  him  at  the  hour  of  death.'' 

"  Death  I"  repeated  Theophilus  hastily  and 
haughtily,  "  what  have  I  to  do  with  death?" 

The  old  man  started,  and  sighed ;  and  then  se- 
riously answered,  "  It  is  written.  Suffer  the  little 
children  to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not ; 
for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  God.'*'  (Mark  x, 
14.)  ^ 

Theophilus  looked  shockcdlmd  angry ;  and  for 
a  few  minutes,  could  not  recover  himself.  But  at 
length,  his  good  sense  prevailing  over  his  ill  hu- 
mour, he  said,  "  Certainly,  many  persons  younger 
than  we  are,  die;  and  those  are  assuredly  most 
happy  who  are  prepared  for  death,  and  who  have 
nothing  to  look  back  upon  but  a  well  spent  life; 
and  we  thank  you  for  your  good  wishes,  and  hope 
that  your  prayers  for  us  will  be  answered,  and 
that  we  may  do  nothing  to  disgrace  our  noble  an- 
cestry, but  may  live  in  honour,  and  die  in  prace." 

The  old  shepherd  sighed,  and  gently  moved  his 
crook  backwards  and  forwards  over  the  grass  as 
if  in  deep  contemplation  ;  during  which  time 
Theophilus  and  Sophia  were  silent.  At  length, 
raising  his  meek  eye,  and  fixing  it  upon  Theophi- 
lus, "  Ah,  noble  youth,"  he  said,  "  under  what  ^ 
fatal  error  vou  lie !     O  that  the  eyes  of  yo'.ir  'iv 


12  THE   SHEPUERl' 

derstantling  could  be  opened,  that  you  might  be 
brought  to  see  and  know  before  it  be  too  late,  and 
duly  to  prize,  that  alone  which  can  support  a 
dying  sinner  in  the  hour  of  death ;  that  alone 
•which  can  enable  a  poor,  weak,  sinful,  old  man. 
such  as  I  am,  to  contemplate  death  with  compo- 
sure, nay,  with  pleasure,  and  to  await  in  peaceful 
hope  the  important  cnange  I 

"  There  is  a  hope,  which  is  able  to  comfort  in 
that  awful  day,  when  all  the  pomp  of  riches,  of 
titles,  of  honour,  all  the  sweet  endearments  of  the 
fondest  love,  the  remembrance  of  the  noblest  ac- 
tions, the  strongest  ties  of  nature,  shall  be  dissol-  ' 
ved ;  yea,  when  the  heavens  shall  vanish  as  a 
scroll,  and  all  eartlily  scenes  shall  be  folded  up  as 
a  garment,  there  is  a  hope  which,  at  that  time, 
will  become  clearer,  brighter,  stronger,  more  sub- 
stantial ;  and  that  hope  is.  Trust  in  the  atoi.ement 
nnd  death  of  Christ,  by  which  our  sins  being 
washed  away,  we  are  presented  before  God  with- 
out spot,  or  wrinkle,  or  any  such  thing. 

"  This  is  the  hope  whii^h  supported  my  dying 
mother  and  my  wife,  nnd  enabled  me,  rejoicing,  %o 
give  up  my  children,  my  last  earthly  comforts,  to 
death  and  to  corruption ;  having  the  blessed  as- 
surance, that  as  they  died  in  Christ,  in  like  man- 
ner they  should  appear  with  him  in  glory.  And 
this  is  that  hope  which  renders  these  last  days  of 
'Tiv  pilgrimnTe  on  earth  sn  exceedingly  happv 4 '^ 


OF    THE    PiRENEES.  J.:, 

me,  Lliat  the  best  wish  I  can  bestow  on  you,  thfi 
children  of  my  Lord,  is,  that  you  may  partake  of 
the  same  blessed  assurance." 

The  shepherd  was  silent,  and  Theophilus  and  So- 
jniia  arose  to  take  leave ;  but  before  they  had  gone 
far,  Theophilus  returned  to  ask  the  shepherd  the 
name  of  the  book  which  they  found  him  reading. 

"  It  is  the  Bible,"  answered  the  shepherd  ;  "  and 
this  copy  was  given  me  by  my  mother  on  her 
death-bed." 

"  The  Bible !"  said  Theophilus,  when  he  re- 
turned to  his  sister,  "  I  have  never  seen  a  Bible. 
I  will  look  for  one  in  my  father's  library,  when  1 
return  to  the  castle." 

Theophilus  did  as  he  had  said :  as  soon  as  he 
got  home,  he  went  into  the  library ;  and,  after 
long  search,  found  a  Bible.  It  was  elegantly 
bound,  and  fastened  by  golden  clasps,  having  been 
the  property  of  a  lady  of  the  family  who  had  been 
a  friend  of  the  Vaudois.  Theophilus  knew  that 
the  book  was  the  Bible,  because  it  was  lettered 
on  the  back ;  he  therefore  did  not  open  the  clasps, 
but  carried  the  book  to  his  apartment,  waiting 
what  he  thought  might  be  a  convenient  opportu- 
nity to  peruse  it.  He  placed  the  book  upon  a 
shelf,  and  soon  forgot  that  he  had  it.  His  conver- 
sation too  with  the  old  shepherd  passed  from  his 
mind,  and  for  a  while  he  remembered  this  holy 
mTin  no  more. 


14  THE    SHEPHERD. 

When  Theophilus  and  Sophia  were  liiteea 
years  of  age,  their  parents  sent  away  their  tutors 
and  governess,  and  they  were  allowed  to  spend 
their  time  in  the  manner  they  liked  best. 

Every  indulgence  was  permitted  Theophilu? 
which  a  young  person  of  his  age  could  desire. 
His  father  gave  him  a  beautiful  horse ;  he  built 
him  also  three  noble  apartments  on  one  side  of 
his  own  house,  ihe  first  of  which,  a  hall  or  saloon, 
opened  into  a  garden,  and  was  adorned  with  a 
noble  portico,  the  pillars  of  which  were  of  marble, 
from  whence  all  the  beauties  of  the  garden  could 
be  seen.  The  second  apartment  was  a  library 
filled  with  all  kinds  of  books,  among  which  was 
the  Bible  before  mentioned,  with  its  golden  clasp?, 
which  had  never  been  unloosed  since  the  death  ci 
the  lady  to  whom  it  first  belo»igcd.  In  thi> 
library  were  various  beautiful  prints  and  picture?, 
and  a  harp  for  Sopiiia  to  play  upon  when  her 
brother  was  inclined  to  enjoy  music.  The  inner 
apartment  was  a  sleeping-room,  in  which  every 
thing  was  prepared  which  could  make  sleep  sweet. 
The  garden  on  which  these  grand  apartments 
opened  was  filled  with  every  variety  of  beautiful 
shrubs  and  flowei-s  which  the  climate  would  admit 
of.  The  hills  arose  abruptly  beyond  the  garden, 
with  hanging  woods,  bulging  rocks,  and  a  beaut  i- 
lul  waterfall,  which,  tumbling  from  height  l'> 
height,  here  and  there  hid  bv  the  trcr«'.  and  again 


OF    THE    PYRENEES.  15 

breaking  on  the  view,  sparkling  and  glittering 
like  liquid  diamonds,  at  length  formed  a  mossy 
channel  in  the  garden,  through  which  it  gently 
flowed.  Many  sweet  birds  continually  were  heard 
singing  among  the  trees;  and  these  harmonious 
sounds,  added  to  the  sweet  smell  of  the  flower?, 
united  in  making  this  garden  resemble  what  we 
could  conceive  of  Paradise. 

When  Theophilus  was  set  free  from  his  tutors 
and  daily  tasks,  and  put  in  possession  of  his  new 
apartments,  his  garden,  and  his  beautiful  steed,  he 
believed  himself  to  be  the  happiest  of  human 
boings,  and  was,  in  his  own  imagination,  greater 
than  a  king.  He  invited  his  beloved  sister  to 
partake  of  his  pleasures,  and  expressed  his  desire, 
that  she  would  spend  all  the  time  she  possibly 
could  in  his  apartments. 

He  had  been  taught,  when  a  child,  to  ride  ;  so 
he  found  no  difllculty  in  managing  his  horse.  And 
great  was  his  delight  in  swiftly  coursing  about 
the  park,  and  teaching  his  horse  to  prance  and 
paw  the  ground,  that  he  might  display  his  dexte- 
rity in  horsemanship. 

One  morning,  when  riding  in  the  park,  he  met  the 
old  shepherd  carrying  a  young  lamb  in  his  arms. 
Theophilus  stopped  his  horse,  and  the  old  man 
bowed. 

•'  It  is  a  long  while  since  we  last  met,"  said 
Theophilus,  springing  from  his  hor!»e,  which  he 


16  THE    SHEPHERD 

gave  to  the  servant  who  followed  him :  ''  I  thought 
a  good  deal  of  the  conversation  we  had  together  at 
one  time ;  but  I  have  lately  been  so  happy,  that  I 
liave  not  had  time  to  think  of  you.  "  Look,'' 
added  he,  "  at  this  beautiful  horse !  It  is  my 
own.  It  is  swifter  than  any  horse  in  my  father's 
stable.  And  I  am  now  set  free  from  my  studies, 
and  may  amuse  myself  the  whole  day.  I  have  a 
variety  of  pleasures.  My  father  denies  me  nothing 
that  I  can  wish  for.  And  1  think  now,  my  good 
old  man,  that  you  must  grant  tliat  I  am  happier 
than  you  are.'' 

The  old  n)aa  answered,  smiling,  "  I  will  not 
argue  with  you  now,  because  you  are  not  in  a 
state  of  mind  to  be  convinced  by  any  thing  I  can 
say ;  only  remember  an  old  man's  words,  and 
thiuk  of  them  hereafter — The  pleasures  you  now 
enjoy  are  deceitful ;  tliey  will  fail  you.  As  cer- 
tainly as  man  is  mortal,  your  present  enjoyments 
will  cease  to  give  you  pleasure." 

*' Yes,"  said  Theophilus,  "  at  death." 

*'  No,"  answered  the  old  man,  '^  before  you  are 
actually  laid  on  your  death-bed  you  will  lose  your 
relish  for  most  of  them,  and  death  will  deprive 
you  of  the  poor  remainder." 

"  What  is  tlie  use,"  answered  Theophilup, 
haughtily,  of  thus  troubling  my  pleasures:  Why 
do  y(»u  wish  to  make  me  discontented  f " 

"  Sir,"  an.'wered  the  shepherd,  "  I  beg  pardon 


OF    THE    PYRENEES.  17 

I  did  not  mean  to  make  you  discontented :  I  only 
wished  to  lead  you  to  the  true  and  only  fountain 
of  joy.  In  the  Bible,  you  will  find  a  wiser  and 
surer  counsellor  than  a  poor  old  man." 

"The  Bible!"  said  Theophilus,  "I  will  go 
home  and  read  it."  Then  calling  the  servant  to 
bring  the  hor?e  up,  he  vaulted  into  the  saddle, 
saying  to  the  shepherd,  "  I  never  see  you  but  you 
make  me  dissatisfied  with  myself. — But,"  added 
he,  more  cheerfully,  and  with  less  haughtiness, 
"  you  shall  not  put  me  out  of  humour  with  my 
beautiful  horse."  So  saying,  he  galloped  away, 
forgetting  the  shepherd,  and  all  his  sage  counsels ; 
neither  did  he  think  of  looking  at  his  Biblo 
when  he  returned  home. 

Some  months  after  this,  Theophilus  one  day, 
after  returning  from  his  usual  exercise  in  the 
park,  which  he  had,  indeed,  been  taking  with 
little  moderation,  was  seized  with  a  pam  in  his 
side,  and  other  symptoms;  of  which  he  himself 
thought  lightly,  but  which  alarmed  his  parents  so 
much,  that  they  sent  in  great  haste  tor  a  physician. 

Theophilus  was  condemned  by  the  physician  to 
take  much  medicine,  and  what  to  him  was  worse, 
.he  was  forbidden  to  take  his  usual  exercise  on 
horseback  ;  and  his  beautiful  horse  in  consequence 
wa«  sent  away. 

Theophilus  at  first  submitted  with  suUenness; 
out  finding  the  rase  admitted  of  no  remedy,  and 


J  8  THE    SHEPHERD 

his  health  and  strength  now  being  appa»enUy 
restored,  he  comforteil  himscll  with  his  garden, 
and  enjoyed  this  new  pleasure  the  more,  because 
his  beloved  Sophia  could  share  it  with  him. 

And  now  he  began  to  form  new  pursuits  with 
all  the  ardour  of  youth.  At  the  foot  of  the  hill 
above  the  garden  wae  a  little  rock,  beautifully 
adorned  with  rock  plants  and  moss.  In  this  Theo- 
philus  would  have  a  grotto  made  for  himself  and 
his  sister.  lie  employed  several  men  to  excavate 
the  rock,  and  collect  from  the  quarries  of  the 
mountains  sjiecimens  of  sjiars  and  ores  to  adorn  it. 
The  excavation  was  soon  made,  and  the  ores  and 
?pars  placed  where  they  might  have  the  most 
agreeable  efToct.  The  day  the  grotto  was  finished 
he  caused  his  dinner  to  be  brought  there,  and  hisl 
twister's  harp.  And  now  Theophilus,  sitting  in  his 
grotto  by  his  beloved  sister,  was  all  gayety,  and 
his  eyes  danced  witli  youthful  joy.  His  sistci 
delighted  him  with  the  sweet  melody  of  her  harj 
till  their  dinner  was  ready  ;  after  which,  while 
they  were  sitting  together  conversing,  and  forming 
new  plans  for  the  improvement  of  their  garden 
and  grotto,  the  old  shepherd  presented  himseii 
before  them,  carrying  a  small  basket  of  petrefac- 
tioMS,  exceedingly  rare  and  curious,  which  he  had 
fouiul  in  one  of  the  retired  parts  of  the  moun 
tain. 

He  presented  his  basket  to  Theophilus.  bowindL 


{i\ 


tjF    THE    PVRENELS.  19 

liumbly;  and  was  about  to  retire,  when  Theo- 
philus  called  him  back,  and  offered  him  money. 

The  old  man  declined  taking  any  present. 
Unon  which  Theophilus  would  have  had  him  sit 
down,  and  presented  him  with  a  glass  of  wine. 

The  shepherd  courteously  declined  the  wine, 
and  was  ajain  departing,  when  Theophilus  said 
to  him,  "  Stay  a  little  while :  I  love  to  hear  you 
talk,  although  you  always  make  me  displeased 
with  myselt.  But  I  wish  you  'o  admire  ray  grotto 
and  my  garden.  Have  I  not  every  thing  the 
world  can  give  me  to  make  me  happy?  And  is 
not  all  my  happiness  augmented  by  the  presence 
of  my  sister,  the  sweet  companion  of  my  infancy?" 
'  Indeed,"  replied  the  shepherd,  "  you-  cer- 
tainly enjoy  ♦'very  earthly  pleasure  in  a  high  de- 
gree. Give  the  glory  to  your  heavenly  Father  ; 
and  provide  yourself  a  happiness  which  will  en- 
dure for  ever,  when  these  less  substantial  enjoy- 
ments shall  fail." 

"  I  am  a  fool,"  said  Theophilus,  "  to  converse 
as  I  do  with  you  whenever  I  see  you  ;  for  you 
always  embitter  my  pleasures  by  your  gloomy 
reflections." 

"  I  beg  pardon,"  answered  the  shepherd,  "  I 
Tiean  not  to  give  pain.  But,  you  do  not  under- 
■tand  me. — As  long  as  your  pleasures  are  innocent, 
\s  your  present  enjoyments  seem  to  be,  why 
.vould  they  be  diminished  by  your  rendering  them 


IZO  THL    SHEPHERD 

sacred,  by  makiDg^  them  subservient  to  the  glory 
of  God  ?  Would  you  eojoy  the  present  life  less, 
because  you  had  the  blessed  assurance  of  ever- 
lasting life,  and  pleasures  for  evermore  at  the 
right-hand  of  God  •'  Would  this  grotto,  young 
ladv,"  added  he,  turning  to  Sofhia,  whom  he 
perceived  was  hearkening  to  him  with  interest, 
"  be  less  agreeable  to  you,  if  it  were  rendered  the 
scene  of  prayer  for  the  purifying  influences  of  the 
Spirit?  or  of  contemplation  on  the  glory  and  ex- 
cellency of  a  crucified  Saviour?  Or  would  the 
tones  of  that  harp  be  less  melodious,  if  drawn 
forth  in  the  praises  of  your  heavenly  Father  ? 
Oh  !  my  young  friends,"  added  he,  with  tears  in 
his  eyes,  "obtain  an  interest  in  your  Saviour; 
seek  him  while  he  may  be  f  >und.  In  all  this  vast 
creation,  in  the  universe  itself,  the  cross  of  Christ 
is  the  only  substantial  anchor  i>f  hope,  that  alone 
which  can  support  the  dying  sinner,  when  the 
grave  and  destruction  yawn  beneath  liim. — Let 
God  guide  you  with  his  counsel,  and  alterwards 
he  will  receive  you  into  «rlory."' 

Theophilus  was  silent,  and  looked  intently  on 
the  shepherd  ;  but  Sophia  asked,  "  How  can  we 
become  acquainted  with  th**  counsel  of  God  ?" 

"  By  studying  the  Holy  Scriptures,"  answered 
the  shepherd;  "  they  contain  the  whole  counsel 
of  God.  They  first  teach  us  how  man  was  made 
innocent,  and   how  he  fell  by  disobedience,  in- 


OF    THK    pyUENEES.  i2 1 

earring  by  his  fall  temporal  and  spiritual  death  ; 
or,  in  other  words,  a  corrupt  body,  and  a  soul 
wholly  polluted  by  sin.  So  that,  as  man  by  na- 
ture cannot  escape  disease,  and  pain,  and  temporal 
death,  neither  is  he  able  to  do  any  thing  which  is 
good  or  acceptable  in  the  sight  of  God  ;  and  being 
alienated  by  sin  from  his  Maker,  is  under  the  con- 
demnation of  hell." 

"  What  I"  said  Theophilus,  haughtily,  *  do  you 
assert,  that  all  mankind  are  naturally  so  utterly 
vile  and  abominable,  as  to  deserve  everlasting 
punishment:" 

"  Pardon  me,"  said  the  shepherd  ;  "  I  did  not 
wish  to  intrude  my  opinions ;  though,  when  ques- 
tioned, I  felt  myself  constrained  to  speak  them 
without  reserve." 

"  Certainly,"  replied  Theophilus,  recovering 
himself,  "  no  one  can  blame  you  for  so  doing. 
You  then  believe  that  all  mankind  are  utterly 
corrupt." 

"  I  do,"  said  the  shepherd  ;  "  and  for  this  rea- 
son, that  I  find  it  so  written  in  Scripture.  And 
the  words  of  Scripture  are  confirmed  by  the  ex- 
perience of  all  those  who,  being  enlightened  by 
the  Spirit  of  God,  direct  their  attention  to  the 
searching  of  their  own  hearts." 

"  You  find  then  by  experience,"  said  Theophi- 
lus, "  that  your  heart  is  very  wicked  ?" 

"  I  do,"  answered  the  shepherd.     "  Every  nn* 


'J2  THE    SHEPUERD 

tural  motion  and  thought  of  my  heart  is  evil,  ami 
that  continually  ;  and  whatever  there  may  be  of 
g^ood  in  me  is  not  my  ovrn,  but  is  the  work  of  the 
Spirit  of  God." 

"  You  surprise  me,"  eaid  Theophilus  :  '•  I  ... 
not  feel  these  motions  of  sin  in  my  own  heart." 

"Alas'"  replied  the  shepherd,  "you  canjiot 
feel  sin,  till  the  Spirit  of  God  awakens  within  you 
Ibeling^s  which  are  contrary  to  sin.  Sin  rnles 
over  the  natural  man  with  an  absolute  authority, 
and  keeps  all  his  members  in  subjection,  as  in 
sleep  or  death :  but  when  this  sleep  or  death  of 
sin  is  disturbed,  when  a  desire  to  do  well  is  ex- 
cited in  the  natural  man,  and  a  hatred  of  sin 
cxcrtcJ,  tlien  the  struggle  begin?,  and  then  we 
lind  the  thongs  and  chains  with  which  we  have 
been  bounJ,  and  the  smart  of  them  becomes  into- 
lerable." 

"  All  this  is  strange  to  me,"  said  Soj)liia  ;  "  and 
if  true,  you  and  I,  Theophilus,  are  in  this  con- 
demnation which  the  shepherd  speaks  of." 

'•  But  I  don't  believe  it."  added  Theophilus. 
"  If  I,  for  instance,  had  been  all  my  life  under  the 
dominion  of  sin,  I  should  have  done  my  mister's 
works.  In  what  respect,  old  man,"  continued  he, 
imperiously,  "  have  I  lived  in  sin?  You  know 
enough  of  me  to  answer  tliat  question." 

*'  Sir,"  said  the  shepherd,  "  this  conversation 
has  s:oue  further  than  I  foresaw  it  would.     But  I 


OF    THE    PYRENEES.  23 

TTish  to  be  sincere.  My  religion  teaches  me  that 
I  ou°;ht  to  honour  all  men  ;  to  give  custom  to 
"Whom  custom  is  due,  tribute  to  whom  tribute  :  I 
therefore  humbly  beg,  not  to  be  required  to  pass 
my  judgment  on  the  present  company."" 

"  But  we  will  not  be  offended,"  said  Sophia. 
"  I  am  curious  to  know  what  you  think  of  us; 
therefore  speak  of  us  without  reserve." 

"  I  cannot  speak  of  you,  and  of  your  brother, 
in  particular,"  answered  the  shepherd,  "  because 
I  have  seen  very  little  of  you.  I  have  reason, 
however,  to  think,  that  you  have  been  brought 
up  in  habits  of  morality  by  your  parents  ;  and,  as 
I  before  sarid,  it  becomes  not  a  person  in  my  line 
of  life  to  pass  hi?  judgment  upon  you." 

"  But,"  said  Sophia,  "  if  you  think  that  wo 
have  been  restrained  by  our  parents,  and  you 
have  not  yourself  seen  any  thing  very  wrong  in 
us,  what  makes  you  address  us  as  if  we  were  sin- 
ners, and  under  condemnation  ?" 

"  Because,"  said  the  shepherd,  "  all  mankind 
are  sinners,  and  all  lie  under  condemnation  to 
whom  the  death  of  Christ  is  not  applied  by 
faith." 

"  But  in  what  respect,""  said  Sophia,  "  does  our 
sin  consist .''  How  can  we  be  sinners  if,  as  you 
say,  we  have  been  restrained  from  immoral  ac- 
tions by  our  parents  ?" 

'•  The  seat  of  sin,"  replied  the  shepherd,  "  ■'- 


24  THE    bllEPHEKi) 

the  heart.  Evil  actions  are  but  the  iruit  of  this 
evil  heart ;  and  many  may  be  in  situations  where 
they  may  be  restrained  from  breaking  out  into 
gross  crimes,  and  yet  before  God  may  be  grievous 
sinners.  Many  are  restramed  by  their  friends 
and  relations  from  shameful  and  disgraceful  ac- 
tions, and  others  may  be  withheld  by  pride  or 
prudence,  whose  hearts  nevertheless  are  at  enmity 
with  God,  and  who  seek  only  to  please  and  gratify 
themselves.  Such  persons  are  living  in  sin, 
though  they  may  not  know  it,  their  aflections  are 
perverted,  and  they  are  lovers  of  themselves  more 
than  lovers  of  God.  But  1  again  beg  pardon  ;  let 
me  humbly  entreat  you  to  consult  your  Bible  on 
these  subjects."" 

So  saying,  the  shepherd  departed.  And  Theo- 
philus  said  to  his  sister,  "  This  old  man's  discourse 
always  disturbs  my  mind,  and  makes  me  uneasy 
in  my  present  situation;  ami  yet,  when  1  see  him, 
I  feel  inclined  to  draw  him  on  to  talk.  Do,  my 
sister,  take  your  harp,  and  try  to  dissipate  these 
uneasy  thoughts,  and  to-morrow  we  will  look  for 
the  Bible,  and  read  it." 

So  Sophia  played  on  her  harp,  and  talked  to 
her  brother  of  their  new  schemes  of  improvement, 
till,  insensibly,  the  impression  left  by  the  old 
shepherd  was  worn  away. 

Soon  after  the  grotto  of  Theophilus  was  quite 
llnished,  he  was  attacked  irith  a  second  and  more 


OF    THE    PYRENEES.  25 

violent  return  of  his  complaint ;  and  his  terrified 
parents  sent  for  the  physician. 

More  medicines  were  ordered,  and  the  physi- 
cian insisted  upon  it,  that  he  should  visit  his  grotto 
no  more,  but  remain  within  his  own  apartments, 
viewing  only  his  beloved  garden  from  the  marble 
portico,  in  which  he  was  allowed  to  sit  during  the 
most  temperate  part  of  the  day.  And  his  friends 
were  charged  to  supply  him  with  every  kind  of 
amusement  which  his  situation  would  aJmit  of» 
and  which  might  tend  to  render  the  confinement 
less  irksome  to  him. 

Sophia,  urged  by  affection,  redoubled  her  at- 
tentions to  him.  She  was  his  constant  companion  ; 
she  read  to  him,  she  played  to  him,  she  told  him 
stories,  she  sat  with  him  in  the  portico,  she  brought 
him  flowers,  and  indulged  his  every  fancy  as  far 
as  lay  in  her  power.  And  as  his  complaint  was 
not  painful,  and  his  strength  as  yet  not  greatly 
diminished,  he  was  tolerably  cheerful,  hoi)ing  for 
a  speedy  renovation  of  health  and  restoration  to 
his  former  freedom. 

One  lovely  afternoon,  as  Theophilus  was  sitting 
in  the  portico,  with  his  sister,  admiring  the  beau  • 
ties  of  his  garden  as  seen  from  thence,  a  little 
lamb,  which  had  escaped  from  the  flock,  came 
frisking  along  before  them  ;  and  soon  after  ap- 
peared the  old  shepherd,  with  his  crook  in  his 
hand,  in  pursuit  of  the  little  wanderer. 


i'b  THE    SHEPHERD 

"  There,''  said  Theophilus,  "  is  our  old  iVienJ. 
Do,  my  sister,  call  him  to  us." 

"  Wherefore,  brother?'"  answered  Sopliia. 
"  Have  you  forgotten  that  you  said  his  conversa- 
tion always  made  you  uneasy  ?'' 

"  It  is  true,"  replied  Theophilus ;  "  and  yet  I 
have  an  inconceivable  desire  to  hear  him  con- 
verse." 

So  Sophia,  to  please  her  brother,  went  in  pur- 
suit of  the  old  man,  and  brought  him  lo  the  steps 
of  the  portico. 

"  Well,  my  old  friend,"  said  Theophilus,  "  you 
see  me  here  confined  by  sickness  to  my  apart- 
ment, a  good  subject  for  your  moralizing.  In  my 
case,  you  have  been  a  true  prophet.  My  plea- 
sures are  leaving  me  before  I  have  lost  a  taste  for 
them.  I  am  already  deprived  of  my  horse,  and 
my  grotto  ;  and  what  other  privations  arc  to  fol- 
low, I  know  not." 

Theophilus  made  this  awful  speech,  not  witli 
gravity,  but  in  that  spirit  of  banter  so  often  made 
use  of  by  thoughtless  and  profane  young  persons. 
Cut  the  shepherd  seemed  not  to  notice  the  spirit 
in  which  Theophdus  spoke,  but  answered  se- 
riously, ''  Oh  I  my  dear  young  master,  be  per- 
suaded  by  me,  while  there  is  yet  time,  while  life 
yet  affords  you  opportunity,  to  seek  the  Saviour. 
Oh  !  read  your  Bible,  read,  study  that  precious 
book.     Take  for  once  an  old  man's  counsel :  la- 


OF    THE    PYRENEES.  27 

bour  to  obtain  an  interest  in  the  Saviour ;  cast 
away  all  self-sulficiency,  and  trust  to  that  alone 
which  can  support  you  when  the  elements  shall 
melt  with  fervent  heat,  and  the  earth  also,  and  the 
works  that  are  therein,  shall  be  burned  up. — (2 
Pet.  iii.  10.)  You  have  a  Bible,  no  doubt,  young 
lady;  it"  you  love  your  brother,  read  it  to  him. 
Lead  him  to  the  Saviour ;  lead  him  to  the  bleed- 
ing Lamb  ;  go  to  him  yourself;  follow  him  meek- 
ly in  the  present  life,  and  in  that  which  is  to  come 
you  shall  follow  him  in  glory." 

While  the  shepherd  continued  to  speak,  Theo- 
philus  changed  colour,  and  his  spirit  of  bravado 
forsook  him.  "  Well,"  said  he  to  the  shepherd, 
*'  I  will  read  the  Bible,  and  when  I  see  you  again 
I  will  tell  you  what  I  think  of  it." 

The  shepherd  bowed  :  "  I  am  satisfied,"  he  re- 
plied, and  took  his  leave. 

As  soon  as  the  shepherd  -was  gone,  the  Barou 
and  Baroness  came  into  the  portico,  and  spent  the 
remainder  of  the  evening  with  their  children. 
Theophilus  being  surrounded  by  his  friends,  was 
very  gay  ;  all  serious  reflections  left  him,  and  he 
thought  no  more  of  his  promise  to  the  shepherd. 

Thus  reluctantly  is  the  depraved  heart  of  man 
drawn  to  its  God.  Man  is  by  nature  a  hater  of 
God  an  alien  from  his  Maker,  a  lover  of  self:  and 
all  the  afflictions  to  which  he  is  liable  are  hardly 
enough  to  bring  him  back  to  God ;  nay,  they  are 


:J8  the  shepherd 

utterly  incapable  of  producing  this  effect,  unless 
the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  witliin  him  co- 
operates in  the  glorious  work.  And  we  find  from 
sad  experience,  that  every  butterfly  which  crosses 
the  path  of  the  pilgrim  on  his  way  to  Zion,  diverts 
his  attention,  and  misleads  his  eye,  which  should 
be  intently  fixed  on  the  guiding  star. 

Theophilus  and  Sophia  thouglit  no  more  of  the 
Bible  at  that  time,  nor  ever,  perhaps,  would  have 
recollected  the  old  shepherd,  had  not  circumstan- 
ces again  brought  ihcm  together. 

The  disease  of  Theophilus  daily  gained  ground  : 
he  was  afllicted  with  a  constant  cough,  his  flesh 
wasted,  his  strength  faded,  and  he  was  obliged  to 
i-ubmit  to  new  privation?  ;  he  was  no  longer  per- 
mittoil  to  enjoy  the  fresh  air  in  the  outer  apart- 
ment, but  was  confined  now  to  his  library  and  his 
sleeping-room.  His  weakness  was  such,  that  he 
lay  all  day  upon  a  sofa  ;  his  appetite  became  less  ; 
he  had  btlle  relish  for  food  ;  and  was  so  restles?, 
that  he  could  not  bear  to  hear  his  sister  play  upon 
her  harp,  or  talk,  or  read^|||l  liim  for  any  length 
of  time.  ^^ 

The  physician  visited  him  daily  :  a>id  after 
having  tried  every  thing  he  could  think  of,  he  at 
length  ordered  him  to  drink  the  infusion  of  a 
certain  scaice  herb,  which  grew  upon  the  moun- 
tains. 

Among:  all  the  pervants  of  tlie  P.nron.  no  ' 


OF    THE    PYRENEES.  29 

was  so  well  acquainted  with  the  plants  which 
grew  upon  the  mountains  as  was  the  old  shepherd. 
He  therefore  undertook  to  gather  this  herb,  and 
to  bring  the  infusion  of  it  to  his  young  master. 

Theophilus  was  lying  languidly  on  his  couch 
when  the  shepherd  entered.  He  started  at  the 
sight  of  him  ;  and  the  remembrance  of  their  seve- 
ral past  conversations  rushed  upon  his  mind.  He 
recollected  also,  at  the  same  moment,  that  he 
had  broken  the  promise  which  he  had  made  to  the 
shepherd  the  last  time  they  met.  A  sudden  sense 
of  sh:ime  flushed  his  pale  cheek,  and  he  raised 
himself  up.  "  I  have  not  kept  my  word  with 
you,"  said  Theopilus;  "  I  have  never  yet  looked 
at  my  Bible." 

"  I  am  sorry  for  it,"  replied  the  shepherd,  look- 
ing at  the  youth  with  concern,  "  very  sorry.  You 
are  depriving  yourself  of  great  comfort,  of  what 
?oon  may  be  your  only  comfort.  You  have  already 
found,  young  as  you  are,  how  deceitful  many 
earthly  pleasures  are,  how  they  melt  in  the  hand, 
that  grasps  them." 

"  Certainly,"  replied  Theophilus,  gravely,  "  I 
have  had  the  experience  of  which  you  speak.  I 
have  been  shut  out  from  one  pleasure  after  ano- 
ther, and  I  have  little  hope  now,  that  I  ever  shall 
partake  of  these  again." 

"  Oh  !"  said  Sophia,  bursting  into  tears, "  sweet, 
sweet  brother,  do  not  speak  in  this  manner.     The 


30  THE    SHEPHERD 

same  day  gave  us  birlh,  and  I  feel  that  I  could  not 
long  survive  you  :  do  not  therefore  speak  of 
death  :  you  may  yet  live  many  years,  to  make 
your  sister  happy.'' 

"  Lady,"  said  the  shcplierd,  "■  if  you  really  love 
your  brother,  do  not  endeavour  to  deceive  him  ; 
hold  not  out  hopes  wliich  cannot  be  fulfilled. 
The  sentence  of  death  has  passeJ  on  all  mankind  ; 
and  whether  it  may  be  shortly  executed  on  your 
brother  or  not,  the  Almighty  only  can  decide  ;  but 
this  is  certain,  that  he  has  already  received  seve- 
ral awful  warnings  ;  and  it  behoves  him  to  inquire 
seriously,  whether  he  dare  appear  before  God, 
the  righteous  Judge  of  all  men,  who  is  of  purer 
eyes  than  to  behold  iniquity,  confiJing  in  his  own 
rightfousnci^s,  or  whether  he  will  seek  the  righ- 
teousness of  the  Son  of  God;  whetlicr  he  will 
meet  death  in  his  own  strength,  or  whether,  with 
the  prophets,  and  apostles,  and  holy  men  of  old,  ho 
will  say,  /  will  c,o forth  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord 
God,  and  trill  make  menlion  of  his  riglUiotist 
anil/.'" — (Psalm  Ixxi.  14.) 

"lam  not  conscious,"   answered   Theophi 
"  of  any  thing  I  have  committed,   which  sliui    > 
make  me  afraid  of  death." 

"■  Sir,"  said  the  shepherd,  ''  I  would  liave  you 
to  consider,  that  God  is  a  perfect  being,  and  that 
all  his  qualities,  or  attributes  as  they  are  called, 
are  perfect.     He  is  perfectly  wise,  perfectly  holv, 


OF    THE    PYRENEES.  31 

aerfectly  merciful,  perfectly  just.    Perfect  justice 

jannot  forgive  sin,  nor  admit  a  sinner  to  happiness. 

f  therefore   you  have  offended  the  holy  law  «f 

jod,  even  in  the  smallest  point,  you  have  incurred 

he  penalty  of  God's  displeasure,  and  are  liable  to 

lis  wrath,  and  the   vengeance  of  divine  justice. 

iovL   must  endeavour   therefore   to   procure   the 

ighteousness  of  a  man  who   never  sinned  :  and 

eing  clad  in  this  rig-hteousness,  you  may  safely 

ppear  in  the  presence  of  a  holy  God.     This  man 

Christ ;  God  revealed  in  the  flesh  ;  he  of  whom 

was  said.   He  hath  fulfilled  all  righteousness. 

pply  unto  him,  and  he  will  preserve  you  :  he  will 

e  your  righteousness,  your  salvation.     What  are 

le  words  of  one  of  his  sweetest  promises — Fear 

on  not^  for  I  am  with  thee ;  be  not  dismay ed^  for 

am  thy  God  :  I  will  strengthen  thee  :  yea,  I  will 

Ip  <hee;  yea,  I  will  uphold  thee  with  the  right 

,nd  of  my  righteousness .''"' — (Isaiah  xli.  10.) 

Theophilus  sighed,  and  was  silent,  and  Sophia 

IS  almost  choked  with  her  tears. — The  shepherd 

wed,  and  was  retiring,  but  returned  again,  and 

d,  "  My  dear  young  friends,  for  once  take  the 

vice  of  an  old  man,  and  study  your  Bible." 

"  We  will,"  said  Theophilus, "  depend  upon  it." 

3o   the   shepherd   departed ;    and    Theophilus 

ected  a  servant,  who  waited  at  the  door,  to 

;e  the  Bible  down   from  the  book-case,  and 


3^  THE    SHEPHERD 

place  it  on  his  table.  The  servant  obeyed  ;  ilir. 
Bible  was  laitl  on  the  table ;  but  the  physician 
coming  in,  the  Bible  remained  unopened  :  and 
though  Theophilus  thought  of  it  several  time; 
during  the  evening,  he  still  felt  unwilling  to  reac 
it,  or  to  give  hi?  mind  earnestly  toseek  after  his  CI  od 

The  next  day  Theophilus  was  taken  alarniinglj 
"Worse.  He  was  now  unable  to  leave  ids  bed 
he  coujd  take  little  nourishment ;  he  coul 
scarcely  bear  the  light  of  day  ;  the  pain  in  hi 
side  increased;  his  cough  harassed  him  more  con 
linually ;  his  earthly  comforts  yrere  more  an 
more  abridged  ;  he  was  shut  out  more  and  nior 
from  the  world  ;  and  the  day  of  life  seemed  closin 
fast  upon  him. 

After  a  night  of  agonizing  pain,  in  which  deat 
had  been  brought  before  him,  he,  early  in  th 
morning,  caused  his  parents  to  be  called  to  h 
bed-side.  His  sister,  who  hud  been  with  hii 
during  the  greater  part  of  the  night,  sat  weej 
ing  by  his  pillow,  when  he  thus  addressed  h 
parents : — 

'*  I  Am  now,"  said  Theophilus,  "  brought  to  si 
and  feel,  that  I  must  shortly  prepare  for  deatl 
and  I  have  caused  you  to  be  called,  my  hither 
tender  par^Mi'^,  m  order  that  yoa  may  administ 
gome  comfort  to  my  mini,  which  suffers  more  th 
my  a2:oni2ed  bedy. — Tell  me  wkat  kopes  har, 


»t;i 


OF    THE    PYRENEES.  33 

of  happiness  beyond    the   grave  ?     Where  can  I 
now  find  comfort  ?" 

The  Baron  and  Baroness  started,  and  were 
terrified  beyond  measure.  They  were  of  the 
number  of  those  persons,  of  which  there  have 
been,  and  are,  too  many  in  France,  who  being 
nominally  Roman  Catholics,  in  fact  have  no  reli- 
gion at  all,  scarcely  believing  the  existei'ce  of  a 
Deity.  They  had  therefore  no  consolation  to 
administer  to  their  son,  but  looked  aghast  at  him 
and  at  each  other. 

At  length  the  Baroness,  bursting  into  tears,  and 
kissing  the  hand  ol  her  son,  said,  "  My  child,  my 
child,  do  not  speak  of  death  ;  we  cannot  part  with 
you,  we  cannot  spare  you." 

"  My    mother,"    answered   Theophilus,   much 
affected,  "  I  must  die.  I   feel  that  I  must  die  ;  lay 
aside  these  vain  attempts  to  deceive  me,  and  tell 
me  how  I  must  appear  belore  the  Judge  of  all  men." 
'•Why  should   you   be   afraid?"  said  the  Ba- 
roness.    "If  there    is    a    God,  a  virtuous   young 
man,  such  as  you  have  been,  need  not  fear  to  stand 
i«|  before  him,  and  claim  the  reward  of  your  merits." 
"  If  there   is   a    God  I"  repeated    Theophilus. 
**  If  I  have  a  divine  Creator  and   Benefactor,  and 
^i$have  hitherto  lived  in  utter  neglect  and  contempt 
ii  of  him,  where  are  my  merits  towards  him  ?      And 
''  what  have  I  done  for  my  fellow-creatures  ?     I  feel 
now,  at  this  awful  moment,"  he  added,  '*  that,  had 


34  THE    SHEPHERD 

I  devoted  the  best  of  my  life,  and  the  strongest 
powers  of  my  mind,  to  the  service  of  my  God  and 
of  my  fellow-creature?,  I  should  not  dare  to 
appear  before  my  Creator,  relying  on  these  good 
works,  and  pleading  imperfect  services  in  that 
place  where  sinless  perfection  is  and  must  be 
required.  There  is  a  God,  Madam,"  added 
Theophilus  looking  intently  at  his  mother,  '•  I  feel 
that  there  is  a  God,  a  just  and  holy  God,  and  that  I 
mupt  soon  stand  in  hi?  pre?ence,  and  receive  from 
him  my  eternal  doom  !" 

"  Oh  1  my  brother,  my  brother,"  said  Sophia, 
leaning  her  face,  which  was  wet  with  many  tpars, 
against  his  shoulder,  *'  I  cannot  bear  to  hear  you  L 
speak  in  this   manner."  I 

**  Sophia,"  said  Theophilus,"  "  you  cannot  com-  L 
fort  me.  The  more  I  have  loved  my  Sophia,  the 
more  bitter  will  be  the  separation  which  1  foresee 
must  so  soon  lake  place.  No,  no,"  he  added, 
looking  wildly  around  him,  ''  I  am  come  to  that 
hour,  when  riches  take  themselves  wings  ;  when 
titles  vanish  into  thin  air ;  when  past  pleasures 
assume  the  sting  of  serpents ;  when  fathers,  mo 
thers,  wives,  or  husbanJ?,  can  afford  no  comfort 
when  the  sweetest  ties  of  love,"  he  added,  iookinj 
tenderly  on  his  sister,  *'  when  friendships  formed 
in  the  cradle  must  be  dissolved  ;  when  the  eyci 
and  the  ear  can  no  more  administer  to  our  delight 
when  the  loathing  stomach  refuses  food,  and  the 
^^ve  yawns  beneath  the  dissolving  body — I  an* 


OF    THE    PYRENEES.  OO 

Come  to  that  awful  moment,  and  am  without  one 
hope  to  support  me." 

Theophilus,  having  exerted  himself  beyond  his 
strength,  now  became  quite  wild,  and  spoke  inco- 
herently ;  and  the  physician  coming  in,  was 
obliged  to  administer  an  opiate  to  him. 

After  a  refreshing  sleep,  Theophilus  awoke  at 
noon-day  more  composed.  His  sister  was  kneeling 
at  the  foot  of  the  bed,  and  being  much  tired,  had 
falle  asle.'p  in  that  posture.  The  servant  before 
mentioned  was  standing  by  his  master,  and  agaia 
pressed  him  to  see  a  priest. 

"  No,"  said  Theouhilus,  bring  me  the  Bible, 
which  lies  neglected  on  my  table." 

The  servant  obeyed  :  Theophilus  unclasped  the 
book,  and  turned  over  the  leaves.  ''I  want,"  he 
said,  "  to  fi':d  my  Saviour.  Where  shall  I  find 
him  ?"     He  looked  anxiously  at  the  servant. 

"  Sir,*'  answered  the  man,  "  let  me  call  a 
priest." 

•'  I  want,"  said  poor  Theophilus,  "  to  find  my 
Saviour." 

The  voice  of  her  dear  brother  awakened  Sophia. 
She  started  up,  and  said,  "  My  dear  brother,  what 
do  you  want .''" 

He  pointed  to  the  Bible,  which  he  had  dropped 
'\  on  the  bed,  and  said,  "  I  want  to  find  my  Saviour." 

She  took  up  the  Bible,  and  turned  the  leaves 
:)ver  and  over ;  but  being  utterly  at  a  loss  what 


ob  THE    SHKPHERl* 

parts  to  select,  she  threw  it  Jown,  and  said,  "  Oh  I 
my  Theophilus,  had  we  followed  the  advice  of 
the  old  shepherd,  perhaps  we  should  now  have 
found  comfort  in  this  precious  book." 

"  The  old  <hepherd  I'"  repeated  the  ea^er  Theo- 
philus: "  send  for  him  this  moment." 

Theophilii.'  was  obeyed,  and  the  old  man  came. 

When  the  sh'^pherd  appeared,  the  dying  youth 
extendeil  his  hand  to  him  :  "  Oh  !  my  friend,"  he 
said,  "  my  counsellor,  who  would  have  guided  me 
to  peace,  but  I  would  not,  I  am  now  brought  to 
tliat  dreadful  hour,  that  hour  so  long  ago  pre- 
dicted by  you,  when  no  earthly  thing  can  satisfy 
ine." 

"  Sir,"  re[)lied  the  shepherd,  "  you  are  tnen 
arrived  at  that  state  in  which  I  wished  to  see  you 
some  yearf  ago.  The  immortal  soul  cannot  be 
satisfi-'d  by  any  of  the  perishable  pleasure^  of 
earth  ;  it  requires  something  more.  \i\<\  yet 
miserable  man  is  so  Icil  away  by  hi<  love  of  farlhly 
triih^s,  and  is,  in  (act,  such  au  aben  from  God.  that 
he  will  cling  to  any  deceitful  hope  rather  than 
accept  the  offered  salvation,  even  the  salvntioc 
which  was  purchased  by  the  Son  of  God  Fo) 
God  so  loved  the  world,  th<it  he  e;ave  his  only  be>;ot 
ten  Xon,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him  should  no 
perish,  but  have  everlasting  life.     (John  iii.  16.) 

"  But  I,"  said  I'heophilus,  "have  no  hope,  n< 
refuge,  uo  couiidcucc  ;  1  am  utterly  cast  down.' 


01?    i'Ht}    riRENEEJS.  37 

"  By  what  cast  down  ?"  said  the  shepherd. 

"  By  my  sins,"  replied  Theophilus.  "  You 
formerly  told  me  that  I  was  a  sinner,  and  that  my 
heart  was  utterly  corrupt  and  alienated  from  God. 
I  did  not  believe  it  to  be  so  then  ;  but  now  I  find 
it  to  be  so ;  there  is  nothing:  good  in  me.  Where 
is  my  former  confidence  ?  Where  is  my  boasting  ?'■* 
added  he,  sighing,  a  d  looking  upwards.  Then 
turning  eagerly  to  the  shepherd,  "  Tell  me,"  he 
said,  "  tell  me,  is  there  any  hope  ? — any  hope  for 
me  ?  Who  will  stand  up  for  me  when  I  am  called 
into  the  presence  of  God  ?" 

The  shepherd  took  up  the  Bible  which  lay  upon 
the  bed,  and  read  these  words,  Come  unto  me  all 
ye  that  labour  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give 
you  rest.  (Matt.  xi.  28.)  "  These  are  the  words 
of  Christ  our  Saviour,"  added  the  shepherd; 
"  they  are  addressed  to  those  who  feel  the  weight 
of  their  sins,  and  labour  beneath  their  intolerable 
burden.  To  such  the  blessed  Redeemer  saith. 
Come  unto  Tne,  and  I  will  give  you  rest. — And 
again,  he  saith.  He  that  cometh  unto  me  I  will  in 
no  wise  cast  out.'*''     (John  vi.  37.) 

"  Are  those  really  the  words  of  the  Lord  Jesus?" 
replied  Theophilus.  "  You  would  not  surely 
deceive  me  at  this  awful  hour." 

"  No,"  replied  the  shepherd.  Why  should  you 
doubt  me  ?  Have  I  hitherto  deceived  you  ?  Did 
1  act  tell  you  how  you  would  fiad  yourself  9i\ 


38  TUE    SUEPHERD 

3'our  death-bed,  incapable  of  recciviug  comioi : 
from  any  earthly  possessions  or  distinction  ?  Was 
I  not  sincere  with  you,  in  the  day  of  your  prospe- 
rity? and  would  I  deceive  you  now?" 

"  No,  I  think  you  would  not,"  said  Theoplii- 
lus  ;  "  I  hope  you  would  not :  but  I  am  a  gne\ 
sinner.     In  the  eyes  of  a  holy  God  a  creature 
impure  thoughts,  such  as  I  am,  must  be  a  loalli- 
some  object.     Oh,  I  feel  that  I  cannot  be  savr  " ' 
those  sweet  promises  which  you  but  now  rep( 
ed  could  not  be  addressed  to  me." 

"  I  am  under  a  difficulty  with  you,"  replied 
the  shepherd,  "  from  this  circumstance,  that  you 
have  now  your  religion  to  learn,  at  the  moment 
when  you  are  in  need  of  all  its  consolations." 

''  But  I  am  willing  to  learn  any  thing, — to  do 
any  thing,"  said  Theophilus. 

The  shepherd  lifted  up  his  eyes  in  thanksgiving; 
then  looking  benignly  on  the  dying  youth,  "  You 
are  willing,"  he  said,  "  to  do  well.  Who  created 
this  willingness  in  a  heart  naturally  proud  and 
stubborn  ?  who  but  God  ?  who  having  begun  a 
good  work  in  you  will  assuredly  make  it  com- 
plete." 

The  shepherd  then  took  up  the  Bible,  and  read 
aloud  the  account  of  man's  creation  and  fall,  as 
given  in  the  first  part  6f  the  book  of  Genesis. 
Then  closing  the  book,  he  added,  **  You  are  now^ 
my  young  friend,  acquainted  with  tlie  means  by 


OF    THE    PYRENEES.  33 

"Which  man's  nature  became  corrupt.  The  dread- 
ful effects  of  the  fall  of  our  first  parents  has  des- 
cended "to  their  wretched  offspring  The  first 
man,  Adam,  broug;ht  temporal  and  spiritual  death 
upon  the  earth  ;  and  human  nature  is  become  so 
totally  and  entirely  corrupt,  that  each  individual 
must,  as  our  Saviour  himself  says,  be  born  ag^ain 
before  he  can  enter  into  the  kingdom  :  the  soul 
must  be  renewed  by  the  influences  of  the  Spirit, 
and  the  grosser  part,  that  is,  the  body,  must  be 
dissolved  before  it  can  be  purified." 

It  was  now  thought  necessary  that  Theophilus 
should  take  some  rest,  but  he  would  not  allow  the 
old  man  to  leave  him.  His  sleep  was  short,  and 
he  awaki'd  calling  wildly  for  the  shepherd. 

When  the  old  man  presented  himself,  "  I 
thought,"  said  the  dying  youth,  ''  that  you  had 
left  me.  Oh  I  do  not  leave  me.  If  you  were 
gone,  I  should  be  alone  indeed." 

'  You  speak  ami's,"  replied  the  shepherd  ;  "  I 
am  but  a  man,  and  a  sinner,  like  yourself.  Look 
not  unto  man,  but  unto  God." 

'  Yes,"  said  Theophilus,  "  but  you  will  guide 
me  to  God." 

'  With  his  help  I  hope  to  do  so,"  answered  the 
shepherd  ;  "  without  him  we  can  do  nothing." 

The  next  conversation  between  Theophilus  and 
the  shepherd  was  upon  the  nature  of  God,  the 
three  sacred  persons  in  the  divinity,  and  the  ct  ■ 


40  THE    SHEPHERD 

fines  of  each.  lie  showed  how  the  Father,  th6 
Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  worked  together  in  the 
saJ  vation  of  man  :  the  Father  by  his  love  in  giving 
his  Son,  the  Son  by  his  sufferings,  and  the  Holy 
Spirit  by  cleansing  and  purifying  the  heart. 

It  was  some  time  before  Theophilus  could  re- 
ceive these  doctrines,  and  fully  comprehend  that 
he  must  be  justified  by  faith  in  tlie  death  of  Christ, 
and  that  there  was  no  other  means  of  salvation, 
He  rayed  earnestly,  however,  with  the  shepherd 
for  faith,  and  implored,  humbly,  the  teaching  of 
the  Spirit. 

For  a  few  days,  through  <he  mercy  of  God,  the 
disease  which  was  wearing  him  out  seemeti  to  be 
at  a  stand,  which  gave  the  shepherd  opportunity 
to  carry  on  (he  blessed  w<>rk  of  instruction.  He 
prayed  much  with  Theophilus  and  for  him.  and 
led  him  to  search  his  heart,  and  humble  himself 
at  the  foot  of  the  cross. 

The  IJaron  and  liaroness,  and  the  «(  rvants  of 
the  family,  were  all  unwilling  that  the  she|)he:d 
should  be  so  much  with  TiitM)|>hilus ;  but  Sophia 
pleatled  hard  that  her  bri)thor  s^hould  be  indulged 
in  his  earnest  wish  of  having  tlie  old  man  always 
with  him,  and  her  tears  and  entreaties  prevailed.. 

And  now  we  come  to  the  closing  scene  of  the 
life  of  the  young  and  noble  Theophilus.  His  dis- 
ease gave  him  respite  for  nearly  ten  days, — a 
blessed  interval, — in  which  the  old  shepherd  l?.- 


Oi'    THE    PYRENEES.  4l 

toured  unweariedly  to  lead  him  in  the  right  way; 
and  though  the  dying  youth  was  deeply  oppressed 
with  a  sense  of  sin,  yet  it  was  evident  that  he 
grew  in  grace,  and  had  clearer  views  of  his  Sa- 
viour. It  is  true,  that  he  could  not  as  yet  apply 
the  promises  with  comlbrt  to  himself,  but  his  zeal 
for  the  glory  of  God  and  his  love  for  the  souls  of 
men  from  day  to  day  burnt  more  and  more 
brightly,  while  his  self-abasement  and  humility 
became  more  and  more  remarkable. 

His  affection  for  his  sister  also  became  more 
spiritual ;  and  often,  when  left  alone  with  her,  he 
exhorted  her  to  consider  the  welfare  of  her  soul, 
her  immortal  soul  with  such  earnestness  as  only 
the  most  holy  and  ardent  love  could  excite. 

He  expostuiatevi  much  and  affectionately  with 
his  parents  on  the  same  subject ;  nor  were  any  of 
his  attendants  considered  by  him  as  too  mean  to 
be  unworthy  of  his  tenderest  care  for  their  spiri- 
tual weli'are. 

H"W  sweet  and  beautiful  were  the  influences 
of  the  Spirit,  as  exemplified  in  the  cases  of  Theo- 
philus  and  the  shepherd  1  How  was  the  valley 
exalted,  and  the  lofty  mountain  brought  low  ! 

At  the  end  of  ten  days  Theophilu-i  was  again 
seized  in  a  more  violent  and  distressing  manner 
than  ever.  For  three  days  he  suffered  miuch  in 
mind  and  body.  Death  appeared  near  at  hand, 
and  he  could  not  take  hold  of  any  promise.    Ho- 


42  THE    SHEPHERD 

was  now  passings  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow 
of  death;  the  King^  of  Terrors  surrounded  him 
with  all  his  plagues.  In  his  anguish  he  cried  out 
often  to  this  purpose — Wherefore  hidest  thou  thy 
face^  and  holdest  me  for  thine  enemy?  (Job  xiii. 
24.)  Why  standest  thou  afar  off  O  Lord?  why 
hidest  thou  thyself  in  times  of  trouble  ?  (Psalm 
x.l.) 

The  faithful  shepherd  during  this  time  never 
left  him,  but,  kneeling  by  his  bed-side,  gently 
poured  the  word?  of  comfort  into  his  afflicted  ear. 
"  Thy  heavenly  Father  has  s^ent  thee  these  mes- 
sages," said  the  she  herd  :  ''  For  a  small  moment 
have  I  forsaken  thee;  but  with  great  mercies  will 
1  gather  thee.  In  a  little  wmth  I  hid  my  fare  from 
thte  for  a  moment ;  but  xcnth  everlasting  kindness 
will  I  have  meci,  on  thee,  saith  the  Lord  thy  Re- 
deem'r.  (Isaiah  liv.  7,  8.)  /  will  not  leave  you 
tomfortless:  I  will  come  unto  you.  (John  xiv. 
18.)  /  loilt  appoint  unto  ihem  tfiat  mourn  in  Zion^ 
to  give  unto  them  beauty  for  ash  ej^  the  oil  of  Joy 
for  mourning,  and  the  garment  of  praise  for  tht 
spini  of  heaviness ;  that  they  might  be  citlled  Trees 
of  Riirhteonsness,  The  Planting  of  the  Lord,  that 
he  might  be  glorijifd.""     (Isaiah  Ixi.  3.) 

Theophilus  would  sometimes  answer  the  shep- 
herd, and  would  say,  "  Those  sweet  words  are 
not  addressed  to  mc  :  /  am  so  vile;  so  very^  very 
file. 


\ 


OF    THE    PYRENEES.  43 

After  three  days,  however,  he  became  much 
more  composed  ;  the  struggle  seemed  to  be  over, 
and  the  bitterness  of  death  to  be  past. 

He  was  no  longer  able  to  converse  with  the 
shepherd ;  but  the  expression  of  his  countenance 
■was  that  of  peace,  and  he  more  than  once  said, 

I  see  my  Saviour ;  I  am  satisfied/' 

To  the  last  few  hours  he  was  evidently  pleased 
to  hear  the  shepherd  repeat  the  words  of  God  in 
his  ear;  and  once  he  said,  "  Your  words  are 
sweet  to  me." 

The  last  person  he  noticed  was  his  beloved 
Sophia.  He  kissed  her  hand  with  his  cold  lips  a 
few  hours  before  he  died,  and  was  evidently  un- 
easy when  she  left  him  for  a  moment. 

As  long  as  he  was  able  to  notice  any  thing,  he 
"Would  not  permit  the  Bible  to  be  removed  from 
his  bed.  The  last  words  he  spoke  distinctly  were 
these :  "  My  Saviour,  I  come.''  His  last  moments 
"were  comparatively  easy. 

Thus  died  the  noble  Theophilus,  in  the  nine- 
teenth year  of  his  age,  before  he  had  perfectly 
attained  the  stature  and  beauty  of  manhood.  Of 
him  it  might  be  said.  He  veakened  his  strength  in 
the  way  ;  he  shortened  his  days.     (Psalm  cii  23.) 

Ah,  what  availeth  it  to  Theophilus,  in  the  hour 
of  death,  that  he  was  the  beloved  and  only  hope 
of  a  noble  family,  that  he  had  been  born  the  heir 
of  vast  wealth,  that  the  powers  of  hi3  mind  were 


44  TnE    SIIEPHERD 

eminent,  that  his  person  had  given  the  promise  of 
peculiar  beauty,  that  he  once  had  enjoyed  heal'h, 
that  his  attainments  in  learning  were  admirable, 
that  he  had  been  preserved  from  grossly  immoral 
habits  !  Ah,  what  availed  all  these  advantages ! 
He  found  that  they  afforded  him  not  one  con?i  ' 
tory  reflection,  not  one  solid  ground  of  hope.  . 
his  death-bed.  Neither  could  he  receive  comfort 
from  the  Saviour  till,  by  deep  suffering,  he  was 
compelled  utterly  to  renounce  self,  and  to  fall 
dowti,  wounded  and  naked,  at  the  foot  of  the 
cross.  O  then  let  me  entreat  all  you  who  may 
read  the  history  of  Theophilus,  to  cast  away  all 
false  confidences,  and,  without  Ipss  of  time,  t  > 
throw  yourselves  with  liim,nnd  with  all  the  saints 
and  holy  men  of  old,  helpless  and  self-abased  at 
the  foot  of  the  cross. 

Theophilus  was  buried,  by  his  own  particular 
desire,  in  an  ancient  burying-ground  of  the  V'au- 
dois,  situated  in  one  of  the  most  solitary  valleys 
of  the  Pyrenees,  near  the  graves  of  certain  indivi- 
duals ofhu«  own  family,  who  had  formerly  favour- 
ed these  holy  persons,  and  professed  the  same 
faith  with  the  Poor  Men  of  Lyons. 

A  very  few  months  afterwards,  his  sister  Sophia 
followed  her  brother  to  his  grave,  she  being  im- 
modiairly  after  his  death  seized  with  the  ^ame 
fatal  disease  which  had  shortened  his  days  ;  the 
progress  of  which  was  hastened  by  grief  for  hrr- 
belored  Theophiltr?. 


OF    THE    PYRENEES.  4o 

The  old  shepherd  attended  Sophia  on  her  death- 
bed ;  and  when  he  saw  her  also  die  in  peace  and 
holy  hope,  he  exclaimed,  in  the  words  of  old 
Simeon,  "  JVo?r  let  thy  servant  depart  inpeace,for 
1  have  seen  thy  salvation .'" 

It  is  not  known  in  what  manner  the  parents  of 
Theophilus  and  Sophia  ended  their  days,  but  we 
hope  that  their  afflictions  were  sanctified  to  them  ; 
and  we  have  reason  to  think  well  of  them,  for  it  is 
certam  that  they  kept  the  old  shepherd  in  their 
family  as  long  as  he  lived,  and  took  great  pleasure 
in  hearing  him  converse. 

Sophia  was  buried  in  the  same  grave  with  her 
brother,  by  her  own  particular  request ;  and  the 
following  words  were  engraved  on  their  tomb- 
stone : 

SacrcK  to  the  JH  morg 

OF 

THEOPHILUS  AND  SOPHIA, 

The  only  children  of  the 
BARO?T  OF , 

Who  died  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord,  1721, 

In  the  nineteenth  Year  of  th.-ir  Ages, 

Trusting  for  Salvation  iu  Chri^^t  only,  and  forPardoa 

and  Peace  through  his  Death. 

They  were  lovely  and  pleasant  in  their  lives,  and 
in  their  death  they  were  not  divided. — 2  Sam. 
i.  2^  • 

TINIS. 


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